The Harry L. Petrie Library now has a selection of Germans from Russia books, thanks to a donation by NDSU’s Michael Miller. Pictured with the collection are, back row, left to right, Friends of the Library members Margaret and Dr. Scott Schaar, Linda Kelsch and Jacki Schneider and Special Collections Associate Jeremy Kopp and Director and Bibliographer of the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection Michael Miller of the The Libraries at North Dakota State University, Fargo; front, Librarian Carla Frison, Friends of the Library members Beth Binkowski and Jean Van Beek, volunteer.

A variety of books with Germans from Russia information is now available at the library.

When Carla Frison, the Harry L. Petrie Library’s Librarian, expressed the need for more books to Acacia Stuckle, Emmons County Extension Agent, she knew exactly who to contact for help.

Stuckle called on longtime colleague, Michael M. Miller, to see if he could help. Miller is a native of Strasburg and is the Director and Bibliographer of the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection at The Libraries at NDSU and is in his 46th year at NDSU.

Miller was glad to help and didn’t waste any time. He sent out a list of possible items the NDSU Libraries’ Germans from Russia Heritage Collection would be willing to donate and Frison checked for duplicates. On Fri., Feb. 22, Miller donated the books following a Tri-County Tourism Alliance meeting in Linton.

Miller donated the books to provide the library with resources that focus on the heritage and culture of the Germans from Russia and North Dakota.

“It is our hope these books will enrich the collection at the Linton library for the community and many Emmons County residents,” Miller said.

Frison thanked Acacia Stuckle for getting this started.

“Many people call about researching their families and now we can help them,” Frison said.
This donation contains both regional and German-Russian books. This will help expand their regional ethnic history collection at the library, something Scott Schaar of Friends of the Library said they have wanted to grow for some time.

Miller would like to see some additional fundraising efforts to build the collection. For example, he would like to see all of the Prairie Public Germans from Russia Documentary Series available for check out in addition to the radio programs. Many feature folks from Emmons County.

Frison noted that, due to budget constraints, the library relies mostly on donations. She said they take every kind of book donation and share any duplicates with other libraries. In addition, they would like to replace the microfiche machine with printer. This would allow patrons to research the old newspaper records. The cost is around $10,000.

Next time you have a few minutes, stop by your local library and check out the new resources. Anyone interested in donating to the Harry L. Petrie Library should contact Frison at 701-254-4737.

Reprinted with permission of the Emmons County Record.

Permission
to use any images from the GRHC website may be requested
by contacting Michael
M. Miller